Directing Excellence in Choral Music
As an experienced choral conductor with a passion for ensemble excellence, I work with groups of all sizes and skill levels. My conducting brings together musicality, clear leadership, and a commitment to helping each ensemble member grow as a musician.
CURRENT POSITIONS
TBD
Charles River Chorale
Director & Conductor
Teaching Philosophy
My approach to choral conducting emphasizes creating meaningful musical experiences through:
Clear Musical Goals
Provide a clear vision of what we’re working toward, so every rehearsal feels purposeful and productive.
Supportive Environment
A great ensemble requires trust and respect. I work to make every singer feel valued and encouraged.
Develop Musicianship
Beyond getting the notes right, I focus on helping singers understand music theory, style, interpretation, and vocal technique.
Inspire Excellence
Whether we’re performing for 50 people or 500, every performance deserves our best effort and passion.
Choral Conductor & Music Educator
From Boston University’s choir loft to four Massachusetts podiums.
Ashley Nelson has spent her career building choral programs, training young voices, and shaping the choral community across Massachusetts — as a teacher, conductor, arranger, and adjudicator.
On the Podium
The teaching journey
Five institutions, one throughline: building choral programs that last.
Boston University
TrainingMusic director and primary arranger for Terpsichore, BU’s premier all-female a cappella group. Later joined and arranged for Undertone, a Boston-based semi-professional a cappella group.
Hopkinton Middle School
4 yearsDirected the choirs and expanded the program to superior ratings at festivals, while completing her graduate degree in music education.
Norwood High School
8 yearsDirected voice part-specific training choirs, the mixed Concert Chorale, Madrigal Choir, and several a cappella groups. Founded two auditioned after-school choirs, the Muses and Concordia. Choirs consistently earned superior festival ratings, with a record number of students admitted to SEMMEA District, MMEA All-State, and NAfME All-Eastern choirs.
King Philip Regional High School
5 yearsExpanded the school’s choral program.
Medway High School
PresentConducts the choirs and teaches additional music electives.
Beyond the Classroom
Leadership & recognition
A decade of service to the Massachusetts choral community, in and out of the rehearsal room.
MICCA Executive Board
Choral Festival Chairperson for over a decade.
MMEA All-State Chorus
Served as manager for the statewide ensemble.
ACDA Massachusetts
Membership Chair for the state chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Published & presenting
Articles in music educator journals; frequent presider and clinic presenter at MMEA Conferences.
Clinician & adjudicator
Regularly hired as a choral clinician and adjudicator across the region.
MICCA Paul Smith Hall of Fame
Inducted in recognition of her contributions to Massachusetts choral music.
On the Podium, Beyond Medway
Guest conducting & community
Music Director, Charles River Chorale
A community choir based in Millis, MA
Conductor, RIMEA All-State Junior Treble Choir
Rhode Island Music Education Association
Conductor, MA Central District Senior Choir
Massachusetts Central District
Recordings
Hear Recordings of Choirs under Ashley’s Direction
TBD
Now Playing
